Pilot cat control project

Pilot cat control project by the Central Coast Council

Feral, stray and even roaming domestic cats can have a devastating impact on our native wildlife. Cats are highly efficient predators, but they are also carriers of toxoplasmosis, a disease which can be fatal to a number of Australian marsupials including bandicoots, wombats, possums, pademelons and wallabies.

Cats have become increasingly prevalent in the coastal strip between Preservation Bay and Howth, and the Central Coast Council, in collaboration with the Sulphur Creek Preservation Bay Coastcare Group and the RSPCA, has started a pilot cat control program in the region to protect sensitive wildlife such as shorebirds and Little Penguins.

Trapping along the 5.7 km coastal strip started at the end of June and lasted six days. A total of 1 7 cats were trapped. Four of the cats were taken to the RSPCA; two of these were reclaimed, one has been adopted and the other is awaiting adoption. The remaining 1 3 feral cats have been humanly euthanised. A second round of trapping will be occurring at the end of August.

The project has been a great success and the reactions from the residents have been overwhelmingly supportive. It is great to see the Central Coast Council establishing valuable partnerships and proactively managing the growing issue of stray and feral cats.

The project was funded by the Federal Government Communities Environment Program, applied for by the Sulphur Creek Preservation Bay Coastcare Group.

A feral cat captured by a wildlife camera amongst coastal vegetation.